I found — probably in one of his missionary tours of superintendence. See on Introduction, at the end, and :-; :-, :-.of thy children — some.in truth — that is, in the Gospel truth.as — even as. “The Father’s commandment” is the standard of “the truth.” read more
I beseech — rather (compare Note, see on :-), “I request thee,” implying some degree of authority.not ... new commandment — It was old in that Christians heard it from the first in the Gospel preaching; new, in that the Gospel rested love on the new principle of filial imitation of God who first loved us, and gave Jesus to die for us; and also, in that love is now set forth with greater clearness than in the Old Testament dispensation. Love performs both tables of the law, and is the end of... read more
“Love is the fulfilling of the law” ( :-), and the fulfilling of the law is the sure test of love.This is the commandment — Greek, “The commandment is this,” namely, love, in which all God’s other commandments are summed up. read more
As love and truth go hand in hand ( :-, :-), he feels it needful to give warning against teachers of untruth.For — giving the reason why he dwelt on truth and on love, which manifests itself in keeping God’s commandments ( :-).many — ( :-; :-).are entered — The oldest manuscripts read, “have gone forth,” namely, from us.confess not ... Jesus ... in the flesh — the token of Antichrist.is come — Greek, “coming.” He who denies Christ’s coming in the flesh, denies the possibility of the... read more
Look to yourselves — amidst the widespread prevalence of deception so many being led astray. So Christ’s warning, :-, :-, :-.we lose not ... we receive — The oldest manuscripts and versions read, “That YE lose not, but that YE receive.”which we have wrought — So one oldest manuscript reads. Other very old manuscripts, versions, and Fathers, read, “which YE have wrought.” The we being seemingly the more difficult reading is less likely to have been a transcriber’s alteration. Look that ye... read more
The loss ( :-) meant is here explained: the not having God, which results from abiding not in the doctrine of Christ.transgresseth — The oldest manuscripts and versions read, “Every one who takes the lead”; literally, “goes,” or “leads on before”; compare :-, “He goeth before them” (not the same Greek). Compare :-, “Loveth to have the pre-eminence.”hath not God — ( :-; :-). The second “of Christ” is omitted in the oldest manuscripts, but is understood in the sense.He — emphatical: He and He... read more
If there come any — as a teacher or brother. The Greek is indicative, not subjunctive; implying that such persons do actually come, and are sure to come; when any comes, as there will. True love is combined with hearty renunciation and separation from all that is false, whether persons or doctrines.receive him not ... neither bid him God speed — This is not said of those who were always aliens from the Church, but of those who wish to be esteemed brethren, and subvert the true doctrine... read more
By wishing a false brother or teacher “God (or ‘good’) speed,” you imply that he is capable as such of good speed and joy (the literal meaning of the Greek), and that you wish him it while opposing Christ; so you identify yourself with “his evil deeds.” The Greek of “partaker” is “having communion with.” We cannot have communion with saints and with Antichrist at the same time. Here we see John’s naturally fiery zeal directed to a right end. Polycarp, the disciple of John, told contemporaries... read more
John began by commending the church. He had met some of its members who were walking in obedience to God’s truth (i.e., walking in the light, 1 John 1:7)."It is much easier to study the truth, or even argue about the truth, than it is to practice it!" [Note: Wiersbe, 2:535.] read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 John 1:10
2 John 1:10. If there come any unto you,— If any one come unto you. Doddridge. Polycarp is said to have reported, that St. John, on going into the bath at Ephesus to washhimself,seeingCerinthusthere,he immediately hastened out of the bath; saying, "that he was afraid the bath should fall down, when Cerinthus, the enemy of truth, was there;"and Polycarp himself is reported to have treated Marcion with no more civility. Whence we may learn what caution the apostles made use of to avoid... read more